Support Wabanaki Studies in Maine Schools

THE ISSUE

Maine legislators will hold a public hearing April 22 on a bill that would help the state remain in compliance with the 2001 Wabanaki Studies Law. LD 1474, sponsored by Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono), would create the position of Wabanaki Studies Specialist within the Maine Department of Education to oversee compliance with the 2001 law, which requires the inclusion of Wabanaki history, economic and political systems, and culture in the curricula of all public K-12 schools. According to a 2022 report by the Wabanaki Alliance, the Maine Indian Tribal-State Commission, ACLU of Maine, and the Abbe Museum, most school districts in the state have largely ignored the law since it was enacted, which prompted the introduction of this legislation. LD 1474 requires ongoing funding for the Wabanaki Studies Specialist and for contracted Wabanaki advisors to advance the implementation of Wabanaki studies across the state. LD 1474 also directs the state Board of Education to require completion of a Wabanaki studies component within teacher certification requirements and ensures funding is available to hire Wabanaki advisors and educators who would help the Wabanaki studies specialist create short-term courses that would be available to all Maine teachers. A similar bill (which also included additional provisions related to African American Studies) was approved by the 131st Legislature but died on the appropriations table last spring along with dozens of other unfunded bills. Read the full text of LD 1474>>

The Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs held a public hearing  April 22 (read the public testimony). The committee held two work sessions and the majority voted (7-6) that the bill Ought to Pass. 

The bill passed the House 75-72 (see how your representative voted) and “under the hammer” in the Senate (no roll call). The bill has been placed on the appropriations table to await a funding decision and final enactment in the Senate. 

TAKE ACTION

Contact the Appropriations Committee. Contact the members of the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and ask them to fund LD 1474! Call the numbers below and leave a message with the legislators’ names; your name, town and phone number; and that you want them to vote to fund LD 1474.

• • Call the Senate at 1-800-423-6900 and leave messages for:
    • Sen. Margaret Rotundo (Chair; D-Androscoggin)
    • Sen. Sue Bernard (R-Aroostook)
    • Sen. Cameron Reny (D-Lincoln)

  • Call the House at 1-800-423-2900 and leave messages for:
    • Rep. Drew Gattine (Chair; D-Westbrook)
    • Rep. Amy Arata (R-New Gloucester)
    • Rep. Mark Blier (R-Buxton)
    • Rep. Michael Brennan (D-Portland)
    • Rep. Kristen Cloutier (D-Lewiston)
    • Rep. Deqa Dhalac (D-South Portland)
    • Rep. Jack Ducharme (R-Madison)
    • Rep. Kenneth Fredette (R-Newport)
    • Rep. Ambureen Rana (D-Bangor)
    • Rep. Holly Stover (D-Boothbay)

TALKING POINTS

• • Teaching Wabanaki studies is the law of Maine. Although LD 291 has been a legal requirement since 2001, few Maine schools succeed in offering curriculum that meets the mark and teachers struggle to find resources and time to learn how and what they should be teaching in Wabanaki Studies.  (see the full report The Wabanaki Studies Law: 21 Years After Implementation) 
  • LD 1474 supports a permanent position at DOE to develop Wabanaki Studies curriculum and resources for all Maine schools. By permanently establishing the position of Wabanaki Studies Specialist in the Maine Department of Education, the bill ensures the inclusion of Wabanaki Studies in essential instruction and graduation requirements. Currently, a Wabanaki citizen holds this significant (though not yet permanent) position. 
  • LD 1474 makes Wabanaki voices integral to curricular and professional development. The bill requires the Maine Department of Education to continue funding for contracted Wabanaki advisors working with the Wabanaki Studies Specialist to create and implement professional development short-term courses for teachers. These courses must be made available to teachers throughout the state. 
  • LD 1474 supports enrichment of Maine school resources and activities. The bill provides funds for which school administrative districts can apply to support Wabanaki Studies activities and resources. 
  • Maine is behind the curve in teaching Indigenous studies, compared with other states. Montana, Oregon, and Minnesota, and many other states have funded teams of employees to support statewide instruction on Indigenous studies. A meaningful first step for Maine will be to create the permanent Wabanaki Studies Specialist position and to ensure proper compensation for Wabanaki advisors working on curriculum and teacher development. 
  • LD 1474 supports readying teachers to provide instruction in Wabanaki Studies. The bill directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules requiring the completion of a Wabanaki Studies component in the qualifications for certifying teachers.

To take action on other Wabanaki Alliance priority bills, visit our Bill Tracker.